News
Indonesia brings waqf researchers together at AWARE 2026
The Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI) held the first AWARE 2026 workshop in Jakarta on 10 September. At the University of Indonesia's Salemba campus, participants discussed waqf research methods and reviewed their own research proposals with mentors. BWI reported the event that day.
From presentations to project reviews
After sessions on theory, methods and current research topics, participants worked in four groups. Reviewers discussed the proposals they had prepared. Mentors included specialists from Indonesian universities and a representative of Universiti Teknologi MARA in Malaysia.
Waqf is a form of Islamic philanthropy in which dedicated assets serve specified public-benefit purposes. The quality of their management matters alongside the act of giving. Specific arrangements depend on the endowment's terms and applicable rules.
What this means for the social economy
In an opinion article published on 11 September, BWI member Sulistyowati proposed assessing waqf through benefits to recipients, rather than asset totals alone. This is the author's position, not an announced outcome of the workshop.
For a business owner supporting a community project, this approach raises a practical question: what evidence would show that support is reaching its goal? Consider our illustrative example of a training workshop. The value of its premises does not tell us how many people completed training and put their skills to use. Those outcomes need separate measurement.
BWI's report confirms that the workshop and proposal reviews took place. It provides no evidence of social outcomes already achieved by these studies. The announcement is also neither a fundraising appeal nor an investment offer to readers.
Sources: BWI's report of 10 September and Sulistyowati's opinion article of 11 September. Checked on 14 September 2026.
On shared governance: Elinor Ostrom: why shared endeavours need clear rules.